India to review laws on homosexuality

NEW DELHI: India is set to review its long-standing laws barring gay sex in a move that could decriminalise homosexuality in the largely conservative country, the law minister said today.

Consensual intercourse between same-sex adults is currently punishable by a fine and 10-year prison term and most politicians have so far resisted amending a statute which dates back to British rule.

But now three high-ranking ministers have agreed to meet shortly to discuss a possible revamp of the homosexuality laws.

“The union Home Minister, the Health Minister and myself will be meeting shortly to take a view on this matter because this is a mandate of the cabinet,” Law Minister Veerappa Moily told reporters.

The move comes as gays, lesbians and transgendered Indians participated in nationwide pride marches for the second year in a row.